| DotMBlurb= Set at the confluence of two rivers and beneath a temple-topped hill, '''[[Luang Prabang]]''' is a wonderful patchwork of traditional Lao wooden houses and hints of European architecture. Golden-roofed wats (temples), decorated with mosaics and murals of the life of Buddha, sit under the gaze of wrap-around teak balconies and 19th century shuttered windows. All of this is set against a backdrop of verdant greenery and rugged mountains. <small>([[Luang Prabang|more...]])</small>

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| DotMBlurb='''[[Bogotá]]''' is a city of contrasts, and as such it offers a unique experience to its visitors. Prepare to find a hectic balance between the new and the old; the peaceful and the frantic. Encounter century-old plazas and churches shadowed by towering skycrapers. Find peaceful treelined bicycle routes cut through by wild-traffic avenues. Bogota is a city with many layers. <small>([[Bogotá|more...]])</small>

| OTBPBlurb=Most of '''[[Kuta (Lombok)|Kuta]]''' retains its sleepy, natural character as a typical Lombok fishing village. The scenery is spectacular, with cliffs and mountains reaching the coast to create jagged and awe- inspiring landscapes and views. The beaches are some of the best in Indonesia, with pristine white sand, and transparent blue-greens in the water. Kuta has some spectacular barreling waves, so naturally many visitors are surfers. <small>([[Kuta (Lombok)|more...]])</small>

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| OTBPBlurb= '''[[Albuquerque]]''' is a vibrant, sprawling desert metropolis near the center of New Mexico. It is the largest city in the state and is the hub of commerce and transportation. The fall weather, with its dry, comfortable temperatures, is perfect to enjoy the pleasant scenery, colorful history, and the spectacular hot-air balloon fiesta, which will take place from October, 6th to October, 14th, 2012. <small>([[Albuquerque|more...]])</small>

{{newsitem|Islamist Rebels Destroy Historic Shrines of Timbuktu&mdash;a UNESCO World Heritage Site|1 July 2012|Members of the rebel group Ansar Dine called for the destruction of all of the historic shrines of [[Timbuktu]] and began carrying out the destruction of several over the past few days. The group has implemented sharia law in areas it controls, including mandatory veils for women, the stoning of adulterers, & mutilation of thieves. The Islamist rebels have now called for the destruction of ''all'' shrines in the city, considering them to be a form of idolatry forbidden in their view of Islam (although revered by local Sufis). One shrine was destroyed in May and this past weekend armed men, including many foreigners, surrounded six shrines and began to destroy them using shovels, axes, and smashing objects inside. Thirteen other shrines, dating from as early as the 13th century, are among those composing the World Heritage Site. Mali's government has called the actions a 'war crime' and there has been plenty of outcry from UNESCO members as well. An Ansar Dine spokesperson replied "We are subject to religion and not to international opinion." The group, along with secular Tuareg rebels, captured much of northern Mali in March, and after a short joint rule, the former gained control of the region, forcing over 300, 000 residents to flee, including most of Timbuktu's population. There is also concern for 700, 000 ancient manuscripts kept in the city .[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18665522 BBC article] [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/119 UNESCO WHS listing]}}

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{{newsitem|Earthquake off Indonesia triggers tsunami alert|11 April 2012|An undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 8.7, which was felt as far away as [[India]], has struck near [[Aceh]] Province of [[Indonesia]]. A regional tsunami alert has been issued. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17675399]}}

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{{newsitem|Kingfisher Airlines cancels over 80 flights in the last three days|10 Nov 2011|Kingfisher Airlines continues to cancel flights as rumours swirl around the cash-strapped airline. The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation has sent a show-cause notice to the airline, and Kingfisher insists the aircraft were withdrawn at short notice to allow reconfiguration of business class seating}}

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{{newsitem|Kairakuen Reopens for the First Time After Quake|7 February 2012|The earthquake that struck Japan last March, nearly a year ago, caused damage to Kairakuen Garden in [[Mito]], one of the official [[Japan's Top 3|top three gardens]] of Japan which forced them to close the garden in order to repair and restore the damaged sections. Now, restoration work has finally finished and the garden is open just in time for its famous plum blossom festival.}}

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{{Newsitem|Floods in Southeastern Australia|3 February 2012|Residents of the [[Australia]]n states of [[New South Wales]] and [[Queensland]] are battling floods that have trapped over 17000 residents after heavy rains. 16 towns in NSW have been declared disaster zones, and the rains are expected to continue. [http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/residents-trapped-as-floodwaters-isolate-towns-20120203-1qxk6.html] [http://media.smh.com.au/news/environment-news/moree-and-taree-worst-hit-by-floods-2934288.html]}}

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{{Newsitem|Deep Freeze in Eastern Europe|3 February 2012|[[Eastern Europe]] has been experiencing extremely cold winter weather during the last days. Over hundred, chiefly homeless persons, have died in [[Ukraine]] when the temperature has dropped to -35°C (-31°F). The cold weather together with heavy snowfall is affecting major parts of Eastern Europe all the way down to [[Bulgaria]]. Temperatures are also low in other parts of Europe - for instance in [[UK]] the temperature has fallen to -11°C (12F), [[Italy]] has experienced the coldest week in 27 years and in [[Finland]] heavy snowfall has messed up all modes of traffic in the [[Helsinki|capital region]]. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16868194] [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16860872] [http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Massive+delays+in+Helsinki+public+transport+as+accidents+caused+by+snow+and+ice+compound+the+chilly+conditions+/1135270321801]}}

{{newsitem|Floods hit Thailand|17 September 2011|Flash floods have caused casualties and major disruptions in Thailand's central, northern and northeastern regions. A total of 102 people were confirmed dead with two persons missing. The floods affect popular tourist areas, including the provinces of Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi, Lopburi, Khon Kaen, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Ubon Ratchathani, and others. [http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/257036/flood-death-toll-rises-to-102]}}

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{{newsitem|South Sudan is World's Newest Nation|9 July 2011|Today the nation of [[South Sudan]] gains independence from [[Sudan]], which is also the first nation to officially recognize South Sudan. There is a lot of hope that this will help ease tensions in the area and Sudan has offered to help the new nation, which gains its independence as one of the poorest, least-developed and least-educated nations in the world. Travelers wishing to visit the new nation should be cautious and patient as the nation is not well-established, including visa application procressing. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14089843]}}

{{newsitem|Solomon Islands Host Quadrennial Festival of Pacific Arts|1 July 2012|The [[Solomon Islands]] will host the largest cultural festival in the South Pacific, the quadrennial Festival of Pacific Arts, which runs from July 1-14. The festival, held every 4 years since 1972, brings together artisans from 27 Pacific nations and territories to showcase crafts, music, dance, literature, and more. The theme for this festival is "Culture in Harmony With Nature". Delegates are selected by their home country/territory and attend the festival to showcase their home rather than compete&mdash;a rare cultural exchange between somewhat simmilar cultures that are separated by long distances and few transport options. Events will be held in purpose built a purpose-built village near [[Honiara]], with some festivities held in other locations. The Solomon Islands claim this to be their biggest tourism event ever and are improving tourist facilities and cleaning up the image of Honiara. National airline Solomons Airlines is adding extra flights between Honiara-Brisbane, Australia around the festival. The next FoPA won't be held until 2016 in Guam. [http://www.festivalofpacificarts.com/index.html]}}

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{{newsitem|California Adventure expands|15 June 2012|Disney California Adventure, the little-sister second gate at [[Disneyland]] in Anaheim, California, today unveils the largest expansion in its eleven-year history. The entrance area has been re-themed to resemble 1920s-era Los Angeles, the time when a young Walt Disney arrived to begin his storied career. In the back of the park, a new land called Cars Land recreates the [[Route 66]] town of Radiator Springs from the ''Cars'' films, with three much-anticipated new rides and truly monumental theming.}}

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{{newsitem|Ice hockey world championship kicks off in Finland and Sweden|4 May 2012|For the first time the annual world championship in ice hockey will be held in two countries - Finland and Sweden. Half of the matches are to be played in [[Stockholm]] and the other half in [[Helsinki]] where also the final match takes place on the 20th of May.[http://www.iihf.com/channels-12/iihf-world-championship-wc12/home/welcome.html] }}

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{{newsitem|Japan Introduces New and Cheaper Airlines|1 March 2012|In order to remain competitive in the airline industry and to encourage travel in [[Japan]], a few new airlines have begun operation in Japan with bases in different parts and even some international flights. The new airlines are Air Asia ([[Tokyo]]-based), Jet Star Japan (Tokyo), Peach Aviation ([[Osaka]]), SkyMark (Tokyo and [[Kobe]], and Air Do (Tokyo and [[Sapporo]]. The list of available flights is currently small but over the next few months new flights are being added, and some will even offer flights to [[Seoul]], [[Taipei]], [[Hong Kong]] and [[Busan]].[http://www.japan-guide.com/news/0020.html]}}

{{newsitem|ANA Flies First Boeing 787 Dreamliner|1 Nov 2011|ANA is the first airline to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It's first flight took place this morning, traveling from [[Tokyo]] (Haneda) to [[Okayama]]. Another flight from Tokyo (Haneda) to [[Hiroshima]] took place later in the day. The Haneda-Okayama and Haneda-Hiroshima flights will be its first regular flights however, ANA hopes to eventually also use the planes for international flights. [http://www.frequentbusinesstraveler.com/2011/12/ana-boeing-787-dreamliner-tokyo-haneda-to-okayama-my-first-flight-review/]}}

{{newsitem|ANA Flies First Boeing 787 Dreamliner|1 Nov 2011|ANA is the first airline to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It's first flight took place this morning, traveling from [[Tokyo]] (Haneda) to [[Okayama]]. Another flight from Tokyo (Haneda) to [[Hiroshima]] took place later in the day. The Haneda-Okayama and Haneda-Hiroshima flights will be its first regular flights however, ANA hopes to eventually also use the planes for international flights. [http://www.frequentbusinesstraveler.com/2011/12/ana-boeing-787-dreamliner-tokyo-haneda-to-okayama-my-first-flight-review/]}}

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{{newsitem|MassKara Street Dance Competition|16 October 2011|[[Bacolod]]'s MassKara Festival's street dance is held today. This mardi-gras destival boasts it as the Festival of Smiles attracting thousands annually to witness the Street dance competition that covers the whole city with smiles of the masks of the dancers today.}}

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{{newsitem|Cypress Gardens reopens as Legoland Florida|15 October 2011|[[Florida]]'s oldest amusement park, Cypress Gardens in the city of [[Winter Haven]], reopens today as Legoland Florida after being closed for two years. The new park is the flagship property of the Legoland chain, owned jointly by Lego and the Merlin Entertainment Company.}}

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{{newsitem|Worlds Longest Sea Bridge Opens in China|30 June 2011|The world's longest sea bridge opens today in China, spanning 26.4 miles from the city of [[Qingdao]] to the island of [[Huangdao]]. The previous record-holder, [[Louisiana]]'s Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is just shy of 24 miles in length. The Jiaozhou Bay Bridge took four years to build. The record is not expected to last too long however, as China is also working on a bridge that will connect [[Guangdong]] with [[Hong Kong]] and [[Macau]] which will be 30 miles long when completed. The expected comletion date of that bridge is 2016. Although the new bridge is the longest sea bridge, the longest bridge in the world is the Danyang-Kunshan Bridge, also in [[China]], which is over 100 miles long.[http://nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Entertainment/01-Jul-2011/Longest-sea-bridge-opens]}}

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{{newsitem|World Heritage Sites Added from Kenya, Japan, Ethiopia and More|29 June 2011|The World Heritage meeting ended today with a total of 25 new sites being added to the list. The historic area of [[Bridgetown]] was the first-ever site to be added from [[Barbados]]. [[Japan]] and [[Kenya]] each had two world sites added ([[Hiraizumi]] and the [[Ogasawara Islands]] for Japan and [[Mombasa|Fort Jesus]] and the [[Great Rift Valley]] for Kenya). Hiraizumi is located in the Tohoku region, which was affected by the disastrous earthquake/tsunami in March. Japan is hoping that its addition to the list will help revive tourism in the region. The African continent also saw [[Senegal]]'s [[Saloum Delta]], [[Sudan]]'s ancient city of [[Meroe]], and the traditional village of [[Konso]] in [[Ethiopia]]. Each of the nations with the most World Heritage Sites ([[Italy]]'s [[Longobards]], [[Spain]]'s [[Serra de Tramuntana]], and [[China]]'s [[Hangzhou]] West Lake area) also had sites added however, at the meeting there was talk about making it more difficult for such nations to get new heritage sites, as there are still many nations with very few or zero sites that they believe should be given greater priority. See the full list of new Sites on UNESCO's website [http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/776] }}

Revision as of 19:00, 2 October 2012

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Bogotá is a city of contrasts, and as such it offers a unique experience to its visitors. Prepare to find a hectic balance between the new and the old; the peaceful and the frantic. Encounter century-old plazas and churches shadowed by towering skycrapers. Find peaceful treelined bicycle routes cut through by wild-traffic avenues. Bogota is a city with many layers. (more...)

Albuquerque is a vibrant, sprawling desert metropolis near the center of New Mexico. It is the largest city in the state and is the hub of commerce and transportation. The fall weather, with its dry, comfortable temperatures, is perfect to enjoy the pleasant scenery, colorful history, and the spectacular hot-air balloon fiesta, which will take place from October, 6th to October, 14th, 2012. (more...)